Frederik VII som kronprins 1802 - 1849

Editor: So, this is Carl Plötz’s lithograph print of Frederik VII as Crown Prince, dating between 1802 and 1849. The portrait is pretty formal. It feels quite somber. There's not much going on besides him. I wonder, what stands out to you the most when you look at this piece? Curator: It’s interesting you say somber. To me, the formal rigidity hints at the constraints placed on royals. I imagine Plötz trying to capture Frederik not just as a man, but as the embodiment of Denmark’s future. Do you notice how the details in the uniform—those frothy epaulettes!—almost overshadow the face? It's a delicate balancing act. The artist needed to convey authority but also humanity. Makes me wonder if Frederik had much say in the matter! Editor: That's a great point! I was so focused on the face and the overall serious vibe that I didn’t really consider how the uniform contributes to the story. Did Plötz create other works depicting royalty? Curator: Yes, and what's fascinating is that he seemed to really capture the zeitgeist of the Biedermeier period—a move towards simpler, bourgeois values away from courtly Baroque grandeur. But even within this aesthetic shift, royal portraiture always treads a careful line. They needed to maintain an air of importance, right? What do you think he managed successfully? Editor: Well, seeing your point about the epaulettes, the detailed rendering definitely hints at authority, while using the pencil for lithography also hints at something different compared to classical Royal portraits. The discussion makes me want to go and see what other royal portraits look like! Curator: Exactly! Now, picture Frederik seeing this—what do you imagine he'd think?